National

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, pictured in August during a meeting at the Pentagon, will step down from his position on Feb. 28.

READ: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' Letter Announcing His Resignation

10:11pm December 20, 2018

by Nicole Hernandez

"Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours ... I believe it is right for me to step down from my position," Mattis wrote to the president.

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General Jack Keane, Former Colleague Of Mattis, Discusses The General's Resignation

7:51pm December 20, 2018

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks to retired General Jack Keane, who had personally recommended General Mattis to Trump. He comments on General Mattis's resignation today as Secretary of Defense.

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (left) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan address a joint news conference Thursday in Ankara. The pair of leaders asserted their partnership in Syria after the U.S. announced its withdrawal.

How Is The World Reacting To Trump's Decision To Withdraw From Syria?

7:36pm December 20, 2018

President Trump declared victory over ISIS. But the international response is decidedly mixed — from worries in liberated Raqqa, to applause from Russia and measured resolve in Israel.

A man in Germany is said to have been sent the files after he requested to review his Amazon data in accordance with a European Union data protection law.

Amazon Customer Receives 1,700 Audio Files Of A Stranger Who Used Alexa

7:25pm December 20, 2018

by Sasha Ingber

The incident reportedly happened in Germany after the customer sent Amazon a request for his own data. "This unfortunate case was the result of a human error and an isolated single case," Amazon said.

President Trump is expected to sign into law the farm bill Thursday. Ahead of the signing, the USDA unveiled a rule change calling for more able-bodied adults to work in exchange for food benefits.

Trump Signs Farm Bill, Backs Rule Sidestepping Congress On More Work For Food Stamps

6:15pm December 20, 2018

by Brakkton Booker

The Agriculture Department wants to limit states' ability to apply for exemption waivers. It wants more able-bodied people to work in exchange for federal food benefits.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was among those at the Justice Department who announced charges against Chinese cyber-attackers on Thursday. It could escalate tensions between the great powers.

Justice Department Charges Chinese Hackers In Bid To Curtail Cyber-Theft

6:08pm December 20, 2018

by Ryan Lucas

The two men are accused of being part of a vast government effort to transfer American trade, technology and defense secrets into Chinese hands, but are unlikely to face trial.

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Philadelphia demonstrators protested earlier moves by Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act last February. If the ACA is indeed axed as unconstitutional, health policy analysts say, millions of people could lose health coverage, and many aspects o

5 Ways Nixing The Affordable Care Act Could Upend U.S. Health System

5:39pm December 20, 2018

by Julie Rovner

If the decision of a judge in Texas to invalidate the federal health law holds up, expect broad effects on your health care — from insurance coverage to Medicare payments to pre-existing conditions.

The Trump administration has taken another step toward selling leases to drill oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In this photo from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, caribou migrate onto the coastal plain of the refuge in northeast Alaska.

Trump Administration Takes Next Step Toward Oil Lease Sales In Arctic Refuge

5:25pm December 20, 2018

by Elizabeth Harball

The Trump administration has taken another step toward selling leases to drill oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tells NPR that the U.S. remains committed to the Kurds, American allies in the Syrian war, even as the U.S. plans to withdraw troops from the country.

Despite Remaining ISIS Threats, Pompeo Says U.S. Made 'Caliphate In Syria Go Away'

5:18pm December 20, 2018

by Peter Granitz

In an interview with NPR, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expanded on remarks by President Trump, who declared the U.S. had "won against ISIS" amid news that the Pentagon would pull troops from Syria.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to members of the media in the briefing room of the State Department on Oct. 23 in Washington, D.C.

Transcript: NPR's Full Interview With Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

5:14pm December 20, 2018

In an interview with Steve Inskeep, Secretary of State Pompeo talks about ISIS in Syria, Kim Jong Un and a newly announced plan for dealing with migrants crossing the U.S. southern border.